Left-Handed Junior Golfers: Finding the Right Gear
Practical guidance for parents of left-handed junior golfers, from confirming dominant side to sourcing properly fitted left-handed junior clubs.
Left-handed junior golfers are a genuine minority in the sport, and that can make shopping for their first set of clubs feel a bit trickier than it needs to be. The good news is that left-handed junior clubs are a well-established, normal part of the market - it just takes a little extra care to find them.
Confirming which side actually suits your child
It's a common assumption that a left-handed writer should automatically play left-handed golf, but that's not always the case - some golfers who are left-handed for everyday tasks actually play golf right-handed, and vice versa, because golf is as much about which eye or side feels naturally dominant when swinging as it is about handwriting. Many coaches suggest letting a young beginner try hitting a few shots from both sides before committing, particularly if they haven't shown a strong natural preference already.
Why left-handed junior clubs can be harder to find
Because the majority of golfers play right-handed, left-handed clubs - junior sets included - make up a smaller share of most retailers' stock, and the range of models and sizes available left-handed is often narrower than right-handed options. This isn't a reflection of a left-handed junior's suitability for the game, simply a supply-and-demand reality of the golf equipment market that's worth being aware of before you start shopping, so you can allow a bit more time or be ready to order in.
What to prioritise when shopping
The same fitting basics apply regardless of handedness: clubs sized to your child's height (not age alone), a suitably flexible graphite shaft, and a grip sized to their hand. Because left-handed junior options are less plentiful, it's sensible to prioritise getting the club length and shaft flex right within whatever left-handed range is available, rather than holding out for every specific feature a right-handed set might offer.
Other gear is generally unaffected
It's worth reassuring your junior that handedness only really affects the clubs themselves (and, to a lesser extent, the styling of a golf glove, which is worn on the opposite hand to a right-handed golfer's). Golf balls, tees, bags, shoes and most accessories are entirely unaffected by which way a golfer swings, so there's no need to search for 'left-handed' versions of anything beyond the clubs and glove.
Our Set Finder tool and
Club Finder can help narrow down age- and height-appropriate options - just remember to filter or ask specifically for left-handed stock, since it's not always displayed as prominently as right-handed sets.
Should a left-handed junior just learn right-handed instead, since more gear is available?
Most coaches would advise against forcing a golfer to switch sides purely for equipment convenience - a golfer generally performs and progresses better on their natural side, and left-handed junior clubs, while less common, are genuinely available. The slightly longer search for gear is a fair trade-off for a young golfer learning on the side that feels natural to them.